UPDATE: COVID-19, APRIL 9
April 9, 2020
The long weekend is upon us. For some, it’s a time to celebrate important faith-based holidays such as Easter and Passover and for others, it’s a special time to get together with family and friends. This year, the long weekend will look very different for many of us as these activities will happen virtually rather than in-person. VIU President Dr. Deb Saucier wishes everyone a healthy and happy... Read more
Update: COVID-19, April 6
April 6, 2020
In today's update, we wanted to share that music is one of the things helping VIU President Dr. Deb Saucier get through these difficult times. And because #MusicIsMedicine, she has co-created a playlist with Registrar Fred Jacklin. Listen to the April Fools ?!? tracks on Spotify. Also - we wanted to highlight that VIU’s Elders-in-Residence will be continuing to offer support or words of... Read more
BC Government Supporting Indigenous Students with Emergency Assistance
April 3, 2020
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to share the news the provincial government has announced an additional $1.5 million in emergency supports for Indigenous students. “We are pleased the province is providing additional support to our Indigenous students,” says Jennifer Christoffersen, VIU Services for Aboriginal Students Coordinator/Education Advisor. “For several years, the... Read more
Province boosts emergency funding supports for students
April 2, 2020
Vancouver Island University (VIU) is excited to share the news that the provincial government is providing $3.5 million to post-secondary institutions to boost their emergency bursary funds for students in need. “In these extraordinary times, we are so grateful that the provincial government has stepped up with this additional money,” says Irlanda Gonzalez Price, Associate Vice-President of VIU’... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, APRIL 1, 5:45 PM
April 1, 2020
OVER THE NEXT FEW UPDATES, WE WILL BE SHARING NEWS ABOUT DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN KEEP CONNECTED WITH FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES DURING THIS TIME. Today you’ll see in our 'New Items' section for students and employees information about online activities, including free and/or by donation yoga classes. And employees, we will soon be re-launching our employee enewsletter - VIU Voices - to keep... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, MARCH 30, 5:40 PM
March 30, 2020
WE WANTED TO START TODAY’S UPDATE BY SHARING A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM DR. DEB SAUCIER, VIU PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR, WHO IS WORKING FROM HER HOME OFFICE. SHE WANTED TO SHARE HER APPRECIATION FOR OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND EVERYONE’S WILLINGNESS TO WORK TOGETHER AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AS WE TRANSITIONED TO ALTERNATE LEARNING DELIVERY AND WORKING REMOTELY. As well, we emailed information... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, MARCH 27, 5:45 PM
March 27, 2020
It’s Friday, which means we have made it through the first full week of alternative learning delivery and doing our work from home. We want to thank everyone in the community for the countless hours they have put in supporting this momentous adjustment. Extraordinary times have certainly called for a major - and sudden - shift in the way we learn and do business. We wanted to remind everyone to... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, MARCH 25, 6:15 PM
March 25, 2020
STARTING TODAY, WE WILL BE TRANSITIONING TO SENDING OUT AN UPDATE THREE TIMES PER WEEK UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING URGENT WE NEED TO SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY. THAT MEANS MOVING FORWARD YOU CAN EXPECT TO HEAR FROM US ON MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY. You can connect with us at any time through universityrelations@viu.ca and visit our COVID-19 website for the most up to date information. Finally,... Read more
UPDATE: COVID-19, MARCH 24, 6 PM
March 24, 2020
We’d like to start by thanking the VIU Students’ Union (VIUSU) for their leadership today in launching a new initiative to support students who are facing unique financial challenges because of COVID-19. VIUSU, in partnership with the VIU Foundation, launched a campaign to raise $250,000 for emergency bursaries for students. We also know that many of you are coming up with creative ways to... Read more
VIU Students' Union Supporting Students in Time of Crisis
March 24, 2020
Emergency bursaries support most vulnerable students affected by COVID-19. While they may not be attending face-to-face classes, students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) are still working hard to complete their education. However, during this unprecedented situation, students are also dealing with the very real consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, including reduced hours or no employment,... Read more